City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services: How Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste Work in Atlanta

Managing household waste is a big part of daily life in Atlanta. Whether you’re moving into the city, already own a home here, or just trying to understand how city trash pickup works, Atlanta’s Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services is the main agency you’ll deal with.

This guide walks through what Solid Waste Services does, how to set up and use service, and what to know about trash, recycling, bulk items, and more in Atlanta, Georgia.

Overview: Who Handles Solid Waste in Atlanta?

In the City of Atlanta, most residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collection is handled by:

City of Atlanta Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Services Division
Typical central office location: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
General information line (commonly used city info line): 311 (inside city limits) or 404-546-0311

Solid Waste Services is generally responsible for:

• Household garbage (trash) collection
• Recycling collection for eligible areas
• Yard trimmings pickup (bagged or containerized)
• Bulk item collection (by request)
• Some special collections (e.g., certain appliances, dead animals from public right-of-way)
• Street sweeping and litter abatement in public areas (not on private property)

Note: Service details depend on where you live. If you are inside the official City of Atlanta limits, you usually use city services and pay a solid waste fee on your water bill or property tax bill. If you live in an unincorporated or neighboring area (e.g., parts of DeKalb, Fulton, or Cobb counties), waste service may be handled by the county or a private hauler instead.

Setting Up Solid Waste Service When You Move to Atlanta

If you’ve just moved into a house or are setting up a new account:

1. Confirm you’re inside the City of Atlanta.

   • Mailing addresses alone can be misleading; some “Atlanta” addresses are actually in another jurisdiction.
   • You can usually check via the city’s online property tools or by calling 311.

2. Set up your City of Atlanta utility/water account.

   • Solid waste service and fees often appear with water and sewer charges for many residents.
   • If you are a renter, your landlord may already have service set up; confirm what’s included in your lease.

3. Request carts if needed.
   Typically, eligible single-family residences and some small multi-family buildings receive:

   • One garbage cart (city-provided)
   • One recycling cart (where recycling service is available)
   • Sometimes a yard trimmings container or guidance on using approved bags

4. Ask for your collection day schedule.
   When you call 311 or check your address online, you can usually find:

   • Your weekly trash day
   • Recycling pickup schedule (often every other week or weekly in some areas)
   • Yard trimmings pickup schedule

If you move into a newly built home or your cart is missing/damaged, you can usually request a new or replacement cart through 311.

Weekly Garbage Collection in Atlanta

What Goes in Your Trash Cart

Your black or gray city garbage cart (color may vary depending on rollout era) is for:

• Regular household trash that cannot be reused or recycled
• Food waste and food-soiled paper
• Non-recyclable packaging and plastic film
• Broken household items that are not hazardous or too large

Items should be:

• Bagged (especially food waste) to reduce odors and pests
• Fully inside the cart with the lid closed
• At the curb or designated collection point before your scheduled pickup time (usually early morning)

What Cannot Go in the Trash Cart

Solid Waste Services typically prohibits the following in standard household carts:

• Construction and demolition debris (large amounts of wood, drywall, concrete, roofing)
• Tires
• Household hazardous waste: paint, solvents, chemicals, pesticides, oil, gasoline
• Electronics in large quantities (TVs, monitors, etc.)
• Large appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers)
• Loose sharp items (e.g., unwrapped broken glass) that can injure collectors

For these items, Atlanta residents generally need:

• A bulk pickup request (for certain large household items)
• A special drop-off at a county or regional facility
• A private hauler or junk removal service for construction debris and large loads

When in doubt, you can call 311 to ask how to dispose of a specific item.

Recycling in the City of Atlanta

Recycling is a major part of Solid Waste Services operations. Many single-family homes and some small multi-family properties are eligible for curbside recycling.

Typical Recycling Cart Guidelines

Most homes are supplied with a blue recycling cart. Into this cart you can usually place:

• Paper & cardboard
  • Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail
  • Flattened cardboard boxes
• Metal cans
  • Aluminum drink cans
  • Steel and tin food cans (rinsed)
• Plastic bottles and containers
  • Commonly labeled with recycling numbers like #1 and #2, and sometimes others depending on the city’s current guidelines
  • Must be empty and rinsed
• Glass (if your area’s program accepts it at the curb)
  • Some programs phase in or out glass curbside; check current rules

Items should be:

• Loose in the cart (no plastic bags)
• Clean and dry as reasonably possible
• Free of food residue, liquids, or non-recyclable attachments when practical

Common Recycling Mistakes to Avoid

To keep Atlanta’s recycling streams usable, do not place these in the recycling cart:

• Plastic bags or plastic film (grocery bags, wrap)
• Styrofoam food containers or packing peanuts
• Greasy pizza boxes or heavily food-soiled cardboard
• Hoses, extension cords, or tangling items
• Diapers, medical waste, or any trash
• Scrap metal pieces and large metal objects

These “contaminants” can cause entire loads to be discarded, so following the city’s recycling rules makes a big difference.

Yard Trimmings and Leaf Collection

In many Atlanta neighborhoods, yard trimmings pickup is part of standard solid waste service.

What Counts as Yard Trimmings

Typically accepted:

• Leaves, grass clippings, and pine straw
• Small branches and twigs (within size limits)
• Pruned shrubs and plant trimmings

How to Set Out Yard Waste

City guidelines often include:

• Use paper yard waste bags or a designated container.
• Bundle sticks and branches with twine if they are:
  • Under a certain diameter (often around 3 inches)
  • Cut to city-specified length (commonly 4 feet or less)
• Place yard trimmings at the curb on your assigned collection day (often once weekly, but confirm).

Some seasons (especially in fall in tree-heavy neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Morningside, or Grant Park) generate a lot of leaves. The city may adjust schedules or add reminders during heavy-leaf periods, but you should still follow basic set-out rules so crews can safely collect piles.

Bulk Item Pickup: Furniture, Mattresses, and Large Items

If you have large household items that don’t fit in your cart—like sofas, mattresses, or large tables—you typically need a bulk pickup.

How Bulk Pickup Usually Works in Atlanta

• Schedule required: Residents generally must request bulk collection in advance via 311 or the city’s service portal.
• Eligible items: Commonly include:
  • Furniture (couches, chairs, tables, dressers)
  • Mattresses and box springs
  • Large household items that are not hazardous
• Non-eligible items often include:
  • Construction debris from renovations
  • Large piles of fencing, bricks, or concrete
  • Large quantities of tires or automotive parts
  • Hazardous materials

You’ll typically be assigned a pickup date and given instructions on where and when to place items at the curb.

If you’re cleaning out a whole house or doing major remodeling, the city program may not cover all of it, and you may need a private roll-off dumpster or junk removal service.

Special and Hazardous Waste: Paint, Electronics, and More

Atlanta residents are encouraged not to put hazardous or problematic waste in the trash or recycling cart.

Common Hazardous Household Items

• Oil-based paints and stains
• Solvents, thinners, and strong cleaners
• Pesticides and chemicals
• Automotive fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
• Batteries (especially rechargeable and car batteries)
• Large electronics (TVs, computer monitors, some appliances)
• Fluorescent bulbs and other items containing mercury

Options for Atlanta residents typically include:

• Special household hazardous waste events sponsored by local governments or partner organizations
• Drop-off programs at county facilities or designated waste centers
• Retail take-back programs for electronics or batteries

Because programs can differ by county (Fulton vs. DeKalb vs. Cobb) and may change over time, Atlanta residents often call 311 or check local county solid waste websites for current drop-off locations and accepted items.

Missed Pickups, Cart Issues, and Complaints

It’s not unusual for residents to occasionally experience missed collections or need cart repairs.

If Your Trash or Recycling Wasn’t Collected

If your cart was at the curb by the required time and your neighbors’ carts were collected but yours was not:

1. Check for common issues

   • Was your cart blocked by a car or tree?
   • Was the lid open with overflowing bags?
   • Were there unauthorized items visible (e.g., construction debris)?

2. Document the issue

   • Note the date and approximate time your route usually gets service.
   • A quick photo of your cart placement can be helpful for your records.

3. Call 311 (or 404-546-0311)

   • Report a missed collection and provide your address.
   • In many cases, the city will schedule a make-up collection or handle it on your next regular day, depending on circumstances.

Damaged, Missing, or Extra Carts

If your city-issued cart is:

• Cracked, has a broken lid, or damaged wheels
• Missing when you move in
• Too small or too large for your needs (where size options are offered)

You can typically request a repair, replacement, or size change through 311. Some changes may impact your solid waste fee or require approval based on property type.

Fees and Billing for Solid Waste in Atlanta

Atlanta residents generally pay for Solid Waste Services through:

• Solid waste service fees on the water/sewer bill, or
• Charges included on the annual property tax bill (for some property types), or
• Provisions in a rental agreement, where the landlord pays the city and recovers costs in rent

These fees usually cover:

• Weekly garbage collection
• Recycling and yard trimmings (where offered)
• Bulk pickup (often within limits)
• Disposal costs and landfill or recycling facility fees
• Operations and equipment (trucks, carts, staff, etc.)

If you have questions about your solid waste charge:

• Start with the customer service number listed on your water or tax bill.
• Call 311 if you’re unsure which department handles your specific billing question.

Some residents (for example, certain seniors or people with disabilities) may be eligible for reduced rates or assistance programs; ask 311 about any current options.

Simple Reference: Key City of Atlanta Solid Waste Services Info

Below is a quick reference summary for typical residential service inside City of Atlanta limits:

Tips for Making the Most of Atlanta’s Solid Waste Services

A few practical habits can make living in Atlanta cleaner and easier:

• Know your collection days and set reminders, especially for recycling and yard trimmings.
• Label your carts (with your address) to avoid mix-ups on crowded streets or multifamily properties.
• Break down cardboard so it fits easily in the recycling cart and doesn’t block the lid.
• Set carts away from obstacles (mailboxes, parked cars, low limbs) so trucks can reach them.
• If you’re doing a big clean-out or renovation, plan in advance:
  • Schedule bulk pickup early.
  • Consider whether you need a private dumpster for construction debris.
• If rules change (for example, what plastics are accepted), adjust your habits so materials actually get recycled instead of discarded later.

For nearly any question about trash, recycling, bulk items, and carts within the City of Atlanta, your best starting point is a quick call to 311 to confirm the latest rules and services for your specific address.